اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الْغُيُوبِ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ (ويسمي حاجته) خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي – وفي رواية: في عاجل أمري وآجله – فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي، وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي، ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ. وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعِيشَتِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي – وفي رواية: في عاجل أمري وآجله – فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي، وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِهِ.
O Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge, and I seek ability through Your power, and I ask of You Your great bounty. For indeed, You have power and I have no power; You have knowledge and I have no knowledge; and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter (and name your need) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood and my end in my affairs (or he said: in my present and my future), then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood and my end in my affairs (or he said: in my present and my future), then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and ordain for me that which is good wherever it may be, and make me pleased with it.
Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi 'ilmika, wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika, wa as'aluka min fadlikal-'adheem. Fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lamu, wa anta 'allamul-ghuyood. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra (and name your need) khayrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - وفي رواية: fi 'aajili amri wa aajilihi - faqdirhu li, wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fih. Wa in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra sharrun li fi deeni wa ma'eeshati wa 'aaqibati amri - وفي رواية: fi 'aajili amri wa aajilihi - fasrifhu 'anni, wasrifni 'anhu, waqdir liI-khaira haithu kaana, thumma radhdhini bih.
When to Read
This dua is recited after you've decided to take a specific action or explore a particular path to counter misinformation, but you're unsure which approach is best. It's meant for situations where you've done your research and considered options, and now need Allah's guidance to choose the right direction. For example, deciding whether to engage directly with those spreading misinformation, focus on creating counter-narratives, or concentrate on educating the public. It is best recited after performing two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer (Salat al-Istikhara).
How to Read
The sincerity of your intention is paramount. After performing two rak'ahs of voluntary prayer, you would recite this dua, pausing at the point indicated to specifically mention the matter you are seeking guidance on. For instance, you might say, 'Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna *mutala'at hadhihi al-shubuhat wa al-radd 'alayha bi hikmah* khayrun li...' (O Allah, if You know that *researching these doubts and responding to them with wisdom* is good for me...). It's important to engage with the meaning of the words as you recite them, truly entrusting the outcome to Allah. Afterwards, make a conscious effort to let go of your own desires and be open to the signs and feelings Allah sends your way. Some scholars mention that one might see a clear sign in a dream, or feel a strong inclination towards one option over another.
Virtues & Benefits
The Istikhara prayer and dua are a beautiful manifestation of Tawakkul (reliance on Allah). By turning to Allah in this manner, we acknowledge His infinite knowledge and wisdom, and His ability to guide us to what is truly best. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught this prayer so that we would not make important decisions based solely on our limited understanding or desires. It brings peace of mind, knowing that whatever outcome results, it is what Allah has willed for us and is ultimately good. This process helps us to develop clarity, courage, and contentment in our actions, even when facing complex challenges like combating misinformation.
Source & Authentication
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: 'The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to teach us the Istikhara in all matters as he used to teach us the Surah from the Qur'an. He said: 'If any of you is concerned about a matter, he should pray two rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer and then say: 'O Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge, and I seek ability through Your power, and I ask of You Your great bounty. For indeed, You have power and I have no power; You have knowledge and I have no knowledge; and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter is good for me in my religion, my livelihood and my end in my affairs (or he said: in my present and my future), then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood and my end in my affairs (or he said: in my present and my future), then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and ordain for me that which is good wherever it may be, and make me pleased with it.' Narrated by Al-Bukhari, 6306.